1. We got 99 problems, but Confederation ain’t one (yet)
AKA Explaining how Canada became a country

2. Political Problems Political deadlock:
Think back to Act of Union which gave equal say to Canada East and Canada West
Government decisions could not be made because each side blocked the other from advancing
Immigration changes population balance:
more in Canada West thanks to immigration

3. Political Problems Brown
“rep by pop”
Cartier and Macdonald from Canada East and Canada West worked together
Remain in control of assembly
Both opposed “rep by pop”

4. Economic and Geographic Challenges
Britain was giving less preferential treatment to BNA goods
Corn Laws repealed = Canadian corn and grain became more expensive and had to compete with other countries
Recession in Province of Canada = economic decline
People began to think of trade in the continent, not with colonies
Work together, not with Britain

5. Economic and Geographic Challenges
If trade were to succeed between colonies, a link between East and West would be needed
Rail transportation
Bring raw goods to the population for manufacturing
Open West to settlement
NS, NB, and Province of Quebec all had their own railroads
Very expensive, each government deep in debt
Needed to pool resources

6. Brown, Macdonald, Cartier
The Great Coalition, 1864
Brown, Macdonald, Cartier

7. The Great Coalition
Due to the political deadlock of the Act of Union there was only one way to resolve this mess.
George Brown newspaper editor and leader of Canada West was extremely critical of John A. Macdonald and George-Etienne Cartier.
He accused them of forcing the wishes of Canada East on Canada West
He campaigned for representation by population
Brown did the remarkable and offered to be partners with them if they pursued confederation

8. The Great Coalition
Brown believed that confederation would allow each colony to have its own local government but also unite under a national government.
Government members were so pleased to hear this that they crowded around him to shake his hand.
The Great Coalition demonstrated that the political leaders could overcome personal and cultural differences.

9. ‘Murica
…and a little bit of the Irish

10. American Civil War
– southern states declared secession from the USA (withdrawal)
Formed Confederate States of America
Declared a rebellion by USA
Issues:
Slavery
Control over politics and
economy
North defeats South
Britain needed cotton for
Industry; officially neutral

11. USA & Manifest Destiny USA and Britain clashed over lack of neutrality
Britain sent troops to BNA in case of American attack – it took a long time because there was no railway
British North America realized they needed to unite in case of attack from USA, or they’d be done for
Many Americans thought that the USA was destined by God to control all of North America
Annexed Texas
Settlers were spreading
Fear that once war was done attention would turn north

12. Fenian Raids
Irish men who wanted liberation of Ireland from British control
Their idea:
Capture BNA and hold colonies ransom for Irish freedom
NB Five Fenians
Ridgeway at Fort Erie
Attempted raid in Manitoba
BNA needed united defence

13. Charlottetown: The First Step
Getting Down to Business

14. Charlottetown Conference
In the first week of September, 1864, 15 Maritimers and 8 Canadians laid the foundation of an historic agreement.
Initially the conference was designed to unite the maritime colonies.
Before the meeting began the Maritime leaders allowed the Canadas representatives to speak.
To their astonishment Macdonald spoke of uniting the colonies
Brown spoke of how the provinces would share power

15. Charlottetown Conference
Alexander Galt explained how a confederation would manage finances.
One PEI delegate wrote “ The Canadians descended among us, and before they were three days among us, we forgot our own scheme and thought only about theirs.”
Plans for a maritime union were gone and confederation was the focus.
The delegates agreed to meet 1 month later.

16. Charlottetown Conference
Before the meeting in Quebec City delegates went on the road to sell the idea of confederation.
Confederation talk began to sweep BNA

17. Quebec: The Second Step
October 10-24, 1864

18. Quebec Conference
Delegates were excited to meet in Quebec but the hard work was about to come.
The delegates had to decide on the details of confederation.
The closer they got to drafting a bill the problems arose.

19. Quebec Conference Problems:
Not all colonies were ready to give up their independence to a central government
The smaller the colony the greater its fear of being swallowed up by the new union.
Canada West wanted representation by population
Smaller populations wanted equal representation
All colonies wanted the central government to take over their debts
PEI wanted to be able to buy farmland that was owned by British Landlords

20. Quebec Conference 72 Resolutions: Division of Power Representation
The y decided that the new central government would be a constitutional monarchy
Division of Power
Central government would take over most of the powers and all areas that affected the new nation as a whole.
The new provincial governments would hold on to colonial powers (education).
Representation
Members of the H of C would be elected by male voters on the basis of representation by population
Women, Aboriginals, and people who did not own land could not vote

21. Quebec Conference Senate Money Matters Railways
Canada West and Canada East would have 24 senators each and 24 senators would represent the interests of the two Atlantic provinces.
Senators would be appointed
No law could be passed without Senate approval
Money Matters
Central government would take over debts of the provinces
The provinces would lose the right to raise money by collecting tariffs.
Railways
The government would build a railway to link the new provinces

22. Stop PowerPoint and watch part 2 of Canada a Peoples History The Great Enterprise “Strangers in Charlottetown”

23. To join or Not to join that is the question
Confederation on Tour
To join or Not to join that is the question

24. Confederation on Tour
Many delegates believed that Confederation could be achieved in 1 year.
NFLD: the Rock Says No!
Did not want to give up their independence.
They feared that one day they would have to fight against the Americans.
They also worried that they would have to compete against Canadian businesses.

25. Confederation on Tour PEI: Says NO
Left Quebec disappointed as they felt that the resolutions id not meet their needs espeically money to buy the unused land from landlords.
They would only 5 of 194 seats in the H of C.
They would only have 4 of 72 seats in the Senate.
A railway would not help and island either.
PEI joins in 1873

26. Confederation on Tour New Brunswick: Says Yes
Many merchants were against confederation due to large and powerful Province of Canada.
The people of New Brunswick held a vote to determine if they would enter confederation.
Surprisingly the only 11 of the 41 elected representatives were pro-Confederation.
However when the Fenain raids occurred Leonard Tilly was able to convince the people of N.B. That union would give them a stronger military.

27. Confederation on Tour Nova Scotia: Says Yes
The people of N.S. Were afraid of handing control over to a new government that would be dominated by Canada East and Canada West.
They also did not like the secrecy of confederation as the meeting were behind closed doors.
Joseph Howe mocked the idea of confederation calling it “brotheration” rather than confederation
N.S. Joins confederation in fear of the Fenian attacks.

28. Canada East and Canada West both say yes!
Critics in Canada East were worried that their culture would die
People questioned the idea of an inter-colonial railway. Who is going to pay for it?
Confederation proposed the idea of free trade which meant tariffs were over. How do you make up the loss of money?

29. The London Conference, 1866
Delegates from London were excited that the colonies wanted to unite and start looking after themselves.
The majority of the issues in the 72 Resolutions went smoothly due to John. A’s leadership
The British North American Act was introduced into British Parliament and it received royal assent on March 29, 1867.
On July 1st, 1867 the Dominion of Canada would be born and also on that same day John A. was knighted and added the title “Sir” to his name.

30. What’s in a name? Many names were suggested: Northland Anglia Tuponia
Albinora
Mesopelagia
British Efsiga
Cabotia
Victorialand
Hochelaga
Most people wanted to call the new country the “Kingdom of Canada” but the British feared the word “Kingdom would upset the Americans.